Plan Development
As students move toward creating their own personalized plans the need to consider their interests (as previously discussed in the previous section on student learning profiles). However, developing a long term plan that will help them to maximize learning surrounding their interests while achieving proficiency in their school's graduate expectations and content standards is a complex skill that must be developed.Whereas the goals are specific and achievable, the plan should represent a long-term strategy for developing and achieving their goals. Assuming that the school has chosen the format with Naviance ($), Kuder Navigator ($), google sites, or a plethora of other choices, the student and the advisor then need to participate in the planning of the portfolio. This link offers a framework for developing that plan.
Goal Setting
Goal setting is one of the essential components of the personal learning plan. Evidence of goal setting is usually mandated by accrediting organizations and is also often found in a school's Expectations for Student Learning. Students that set clear and measurable goals can gauge their progress and own their learning better than students that just follow the goals of their teachers. It also allows students to personalize their focus based on their interests and learning styles.
As a point of clarification, I suggest transition goals should be part of the student's overall goal setting framework. I don't consider transition goals as a separate part of the personalized learning plan, although many institutions do. My rationale is that if schools use a transition component as a separate part of their PLP to demonstrate "adequate attention" to the transitioning process, they could shortchange the students. Setting transition goals are important for students and are highly encouraged as part of their overall goal setting, but just having students set transition goals is not adequate to prepare them for the next stage of their learning. The institutions they attend or are going to attend should also develop specific plans around transitioning, and ensure that all students have the support and opportunities they need to transition smoothly to their next level.
Two Types of Goals
There are two types of goal setting which will occur as part of the plan. The first is academic goal setting. The intention of academic goal setting is to help students be successful in any field but that it requires intent and reflection. By beginning formal goal setting in middle school, the process will become second nature Some students do this naturally. Many students, however, need to be required to set goals at first so that goal setting will become an inherent part of their academic careers. You'll notice that some goals are learning goals that represent what a student will be able to do because of new learning. Some goals are intentional goals that state the intention of doing something, such as 'meeting with the college counselor at least twice a semester' or "write college essays by October 15". There is nothing wrong with intentional goals, but at least two goals should be learning goals. You'll find that students often want to write goals about their grades. This is highly discouraged because, although admirable that they want to have good grades, those types of goals do not focus on learning.
Examples of Academic Goals
Below are some examples of academic goals. As with all goals, academic goals can be short term (the quarter), medium term (the year) or long term (the year or their high school career). Please explain that there should be some evidence of all three types of goals.
I will be able to cite work properly
I will be able to apply coding to a school project
I will be able to compare the causes of at least three revolutions between 1700 and 1960
I will be able to use commas appropriately
I will develop a homework strategy so all work is turned in on time
I will write college essays by October 15th
I will meet with the college counselor at least twice a semester
I will make sure all service learning work is completed by March of my senior year
taking a course in marine biology at a local college
The second type of goal setting is personal goal setting. Although some schools may choose not to have personal goals as part of the Personal Learning Plan, my experience is that the process of having students use the goal setting technique for the non-academic part of their life helps them to increase personal productivity and practical intelligence. Personal goal setting follows a similar process as academic goal setting. As with academic goal setting students need to recognize that personal success is the result of goal setting. For example, a car doesn’t just appear when you get your license. There needs to be planning and goal setting to acquire a car.
Examples of Personal Goals
buying a car
getting a weekend job
running 4 days a week
practicing the saxophone 3 times a week (this could also be academic)
not watching more than 7 hours of TV a week
put annual photo albums together
Process for Goal Setting
Creating a timeline such as "Each advisor should use advisory time for students to set at least three academic goals by the end of September" will ensure that students have time to develop their goals before the fall round of student-led conferences. Goals will be a part of the long-term Personal Learning Plan. Make sure that goals are not deleted once achieved or revised, but rather archived. Looking at a student's progress on goals over a four year period can be very helpful when writing recommendations for your advisees. Here is an optional template for students to use when reflecting on goals
Reviewing goals : At least once a quarter, advisors should set aside advisory time for students to review progress on academic and personal goals and reflect. This reflection should be shared with the advisor and then discussed during a one-on-one meeting in advisory. Schools may devise their own format for reviewing goals or use the following guiding questions :
How are you progressing on your goals ?
What are the challenges you have encountered in achieving your goals ?
What are some ways you can overcome your challenges ?
Do your goals need to be modified ? If so, please rewrite your modified goals.
How did achieving your goal help you become a better learner?
Student goals can take on a range of complexity, but with any goal setting format they should be developmentally appropriate, clear and specific, relevant and achievable. I have included links for two goal setting formats:
Option A Smart Goal Format
Option B Kid Friendly Goal Format